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Chemical Engineering

Undergraduate Programs

Chemical Engineering is considered one of the base engineering disciplines with applications
in nearly every facet of life. The development and production of food, pharmaceuticals,
fuels, semiconductors, detergents, fertilizers, plastics, and paper have all been
driven by the ingenuity of chemical engineers. Current frontiers being explored by
Chemical Engineers include biofuels, renewable energy, new ba eries, nanotechnology,
fuel cells, microsensors, explosives, and other critical technologies important to
the 21st century. Chemical engineering graduates find challenging careers in a broad
spectrum of fields including petroleum, chemical, plastics, paper, semiconductor,
pharmaceutical, and biotechnology. At the same time, the breadth of a chemical engineering
background helps graduates flourish in careers such as medicine, patent law, and technical
marketing.

BS in Chemical Engineering

General Description

Throughout the Chemical Engineering curriculum, we focus on the development of complete
engineers who can foster innovation through know‐how and champion ideas through effective
communication. We deliver a thorough education with insightful teaching, an innovative
curriculum, research opportunities, summer job experiences, and channels for permanent,
successful careers. Each year, our program is reviewed by an outside advisory board
of professionals, who help ensure that our graduates are well prepared for lifelong
successful careers in the exciting array of fields open to chemical engineers.

An important part of the chemical engineering experience at New Mexico Tech is the
abundance of opportunities to participate in cu ing edge research projects of our
faculty and staff. Virtually all of our graduates engage in significant research projects
and/or internships while working toward B.S. degrees in Chemical Engineering. Examples
of areas of research open to Tech chemical engineering undergraduates include energetic
materials, fuel cells, nano‐composite materials, membrane separations, computer simulation,
bioenergy, and thin film plasma processing. Numerous opportunities exist for summer
research internships, including employment at the nearby Sandia and Los Alamos national
labs as well as the research divisions on campus.

Program Outcomes

Graduates of the NMT Chemical Engineering Department will have:

an ability to apply knowledge of mathematics, science, and engineering

an ability to design and conduct experiments, as well as to analyze and interpret
data

an ability to design a system, component, or process to meet desired needs

an ability to function on multi-disciplinary teams

an ability to identify, formulate, and solve engineering problems

an understanding of professional and ethical responsibility

an ability to communicate effectively

the broad education necessary to understand the impact of engineering solutions in
a global and societal context

a recognition of the need for, and an ability to engage in life-long learning

a knowledge of contemporary issues

an ability to use the techniques, skills, and modern engineering tools necessary for
engineering practice.

Program Requirements

Minimum credit hours required—136

In addition to the General Education Core Curriculum, the following courses are required:

Chemical Engineering Courses:

ChE 110 (1), 110L (1),

ChE 326 (3),

ChE 327 (3),

ChE 345L (1),

ChE 349 (3),

ChE 351 (3),

ChE 352 (3),

ChE 371 (3),

ChE 443 & 443L (3),

ChE 445L (1),

ChE 461 (3),

ChE 462 (3),

ChE 485 (1)

Chemistry Courses

CHEM 311 & 311L (4), 331 & 331L (4), 333 & 333L (4)

Engineering Science Courses

ES 201 (3),

ES 216 (3),

ES 302 (3),

ES 347(3),

ES 350 (3),

ES 405L (1)

Electrical Engineering Courses

EE 211(3) or ES 332 (3)

Mathematics Courses

MATH 231 (4),

MATH 335 (3)

Materials Engineering Courses

MATE 202 & 202L or 235 & 235L(4)

Engineering/Technical Electives (9 credit hours)

Upper‐division engineering or other approved courses. These electives should be Chemical
Engineering, other engineering, chemistry, biology, mathematics, physics or computer
science courses at the 300‐, 400‐, or 500‐level.

Chemical engineering majors must maintain a minimum GPA of 2.0 in required courses
in order to graduate. Courses used for degree, including general degree requirements,
may not be taken on an S/U basis.

Chemical engineering majors are required to take the Fundamentals in Engineering (FE)
exam as a requirement for graduation.

Design Projects

The Chemical Engineering Department features a rigorous design clinic regimen. Students
take one semester of junior design, and a full year (two semesters) of senior design.
Students work in teams to tackle real-world scenarios, often sponsored by industry
partners.